The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast
The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast
Heather Legler
033: Show America Some Love
31 minutes Posted Jun 30, 2015 at 6:00 am.
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Show notes
Today on The First 40 Miles, the Top 5 ways to show your love for America’s public lands. Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review we’ll show you how to sleep in pure comfort on a pad the size of a Nalgene bottle. Then ditch the toothpaste and try this simple DIY option for a clean mouth. Then we’ll leave you with a little trail wisdom from a brilliant German theoretical physicist.
Show Notes: Episode 033
Opening

* This week’s backpacking trip!
* Our Challenge: Finding a backpacking adventure within 30 minutes of our house
* Nestucca River area of Oregon
* Flying by the seat of our pants again…with stories to tell in future episodes!

Top 5 Ways to Show Your Love for America’s Public Lands
Go to Volunteer.gov

* America’s Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteer Portal
* You can find volunteer opportunities in your state

Use the Land!

* Get out and use the land
* Use it or lose it!

Be a Good Steward

* Follow the rules of the trail
* Pick up after yourself
* Leave it better than you found it
* Read trail signs to find out about do’s and don’t’s

Teach and Inspire the Next Generation

* Check out Episode 029, SHORT + SWEET: The Children + Backpacking episode
* Volunteering with Boy Scouts of America or another youth serving organization

Learn about the Different Public Lands Near You

* BLM, National Parks, National Forests, National Recreation Areas, National Wildlife Area, Wilderness, etc.
* Tribal Lands
* State Parks
* Private Lands are also an option for day use (Weyerhauser, tree farms)

SUMMIT Gear Review™: Klymit Static V2 Sleeping Pad
 Structure

* 30D Polyester Top/75D Polyester Bottom
* Called the V-shape chambers limit air movement and heat loss
* Springy Green (looks like the color from new growth on Douglas Fir)

Utility

* R-Value 1.3, which makes it perfect for summer
* Compresses down really well and really quickly
* Chambers evenly distribute the air for great comfort
* Static V pad can be inflated with just 10 – 15 breaths
* Easy-to-use push valve allows for super quick deflation…
* Tons easier to deflate than the Thermarest self-inflating pads

Mass

* 4 x 8 inches (size of a Nalgene water bottle) when packed in its stuff sack
* 33 ounces
* When it’s inflated: 72″ x 23″ x 2.5″
* Won’t be knocking people off the trail with your huge closed cell foam pad strapped to the back of your pack

Maintenance

* Repair kit included
* Always the risk of puncture with open cell pads—bring repair kit

Investment

* About $60

Trial

* Really did inflate with 15 breaths!
* Easy to deflate
* Very comfortable
* Low R-Value means this is a summer pad
* A piece of gear for women who get bruised hips from closed cell foam pads. Klymit has an Insulated version called the Insulated Klymit V, 25 ounces (just 9 ounces more), 4.4 R Value, $90

Backpack Hack of the Week™: DIY Tooth Powder

* Baking Soda…and mix with a few drops of essential oil. Put in a teeny screw top lidded plastic jar.
* Definitely for the brave hearted! I love it!
* To use: Just wet your toothbrush, dip it in and brush away!
* FYI, essential oils are strongly scented, so pack your tooth powder with your food so animals won’t try to chew through your pack to get it.
* You can also just leave the baking soda unscented